North America

North America is a major landmass comprised of the countries of the United States, Canada and Mexico. While most Europeans don't consider Mexico to be a part of North America, the term North America refers to the Northern portion of what can also be known simply as "the Americas", or the term it was called in earlier times: the new World. This continent is the predominant landmass in the western hemisphere, and the third largest continent after Eurasia and the African continent. Geographically, North America is incredibly diverse. In the west, the Great Plains area covers a great deal of the middle of the United States, from the Texan Gulf coast to the Canadian Arctic. The Rocky Mountains spans 3,000 miles from New Mexico all the way to Alaska. With only an average density of 4 people per square mile in the region of the Rockies, its main industry is tourism, being home to some of the United State's most famous parks; such as the Yellowstone. The eastern region of the country is an area with a great deal of physical variety, with the mountains of Appalachia and the lush Florida Peninsula and the Atlantic sea plains. Finally, a large, flat area in the northeast of the continent is known as the Canadian Shield.

United States
In the United States, there are areas that are centers of commerce and tourism, and are worth mentioning for visitors wanting to know more about North America. California is a state that everyone in the country would like to visit once. It is home to the world famous San Francisco. Visitors to this state like the take the coastal drive south, an incredibly scenic drive on route 1 that takes you to some of the most beautiful scenes in California. Monterey, Hollywood, and Los Angeles, and San Diego are cities that dance to the beat of the constant flow of tourists, making them places you will inevitably be drawn to on a visit to California. To the east of this state is Nevada. Only a half-day's drive or an hour and a short flight from most cities in California, Las Vegas is a glowing treasure of the desert. A play land for both young and old, the Las Vegas Strip is lined with the most elaborate themed hotels, with awesome casinos to match. In the past century, the city of Las Vegas has gone from a non-reality to the center of action in the desert sands boasting an ever-growing population of over one million. The state of Washington has its own rugged beauty, making it worth the time traveling north. It has the well-known city of Seattle, which is the only major metropolitan area for hundreds, if not thousands, of miles around. The fallen giant logs and intense evergreen covered coasts of sea stack dotted Pacific coasts are an exhilarating view for even the most seasoned of travelers.

Mexico
This country has close economic and cultural ties to its American neighbors in the north. Large numbers of people cross the border to travel Mexico for personal, business and tourism-based activity. Millions of Americans are immigrants or offspring of people of Mexican descent. South of the border, this country is a plethora of environments. Though heavily polluted and overpopulated in the capitol, this country, which experiences widespread poverty, has famously beautiful facets, such as the ruins of Chichen Itza. The country of Mexico relies greatly on visitors from the US and Canada, who often take the short trip south to travel Mexico and experience its coral reefs, white sand beaches, prime surfing, volcanoes and mountains, all dotted with Mayan ruins, the remnants of powerful ancient cultures that left its mark all over Mexico. Even the names of its modern cities, such as Oaxaca, and Mazatlan, are a challenge to pronounce but still mark these population centers as they have for thousands of years. Many visitors like to take a cruise and visit the cities of La Paz, on the Pacific, as well as Cozumel and Cabo San Lucas as part of their Mexico vacation. Some of the best cities are ports of call for major cruise lines, which make it easy to visit the Caribbean Islands and travel Mexico at the same time. Whether you're from the state or are an overseas visitor, when you include a Mexico vacation as part of your next trip out of the country, you will be amazed at the spectacular beauty and variety of this country.

Canada
Canada is a country has its great natural highlights as well. In the west, the city of Vancouver is a clean, modern city with a distinct European flair. A two-hour drive north of Vancouver is the Whistler Ski resort, one of the top ski resorts in British Columbia, which is the name of this most westerly province of Canada. To the north of this city, a coastal rainforest is home to some of the most pristine wilderness, home to bears, otters, and migrating Orca whales. Mountain ranges and a vast plateau are two areas you will pass through as you journey east while you travel Canada. Quebec also has an international feel. This province has a foreign flair; the French that is spoken here is done so in such a different dialect that even the most patient Parisian will have a hard time understanding. Montreal and Niagara Falls are places visitors who travel Canada should not miss, either.